(C) Coreanismo

SEOUL — The South Korean government is preparing a pivotal legal framework to strengthen protection for UNESCO World Heritage sites nationwide, announcing a significant amendment to the enforcement decree of the World Heritage Act. The move is widely seen as a direct challenge to high-rise redevelopment plans, notably the contentious Seun4 district project facing Seoul’s revered Jongmyo Shrine.

Huh Min, Administrator of the National Heritage Administration (NHA), confirmed today that the amendment, which expands the heritage protection buffer zone from 100 meters to 500 meters, has been finalized in coordination with the Ministry of Land. Set for proclamation around March 2026, the decree will legally require developers of large-scale construction projects within this 500-meter radius to undergo a rigorous Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) and secure NHA approval. This assessment will monitor environmental degradation factors such as noise, light, heat, and air pollution, which could potentially harm the heritage site’s Outstanding Universal Value.

The amendment provides the NHA with explicit legal grounds to intervene in the Seun4 project, where the Seoul Metropolitan Government has approved plans for towers up to 145 meters tall, sparking a protracted preservation vs. development conflict. While preliminary high-level talks between the NHA, Seoul City, and the Ministry of Culture were held recently, the two sides remain deadlocked over whether the city will submit to the HIA. The ongoing dispute highlights the struggle to balance the property rights of Seun4 landowners—who face significant delays and financial costs—against the need to preserve the sacred heritage of Jongmyo.

In related legislative action, the NHA plans to finalize an administrative rule (Gosi) next month to manage construction nuisances even beyond the 500m Historic and Cultural Environment Conservation Zone if they severely affect heritage integrity.

Meanwhile, the NHA also reported on its preparations to host the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC) session in Busan from July 19–29, 2026. This landmark event, the first to be hosted by Korea, aims to adopt an international declaration centered on "Trust, Communication, and Community" to guide future global heritage stewardship. The NHA is positioning the event to highlight Korea’s unique cultural treasures and showcase global leadership in preservation efforts.

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